Arab Producers Lab - third edition kicking off in Jordan!
press release
EAVE is organising in partnership with the Royal Film Commission - Jordan an immersive EAVE on Demand workshop for Arab producers and directors working on their first or second narrative feature films: the Arab Producers Lab (APL).
The objective is to improve the participants’ skills in international co-production film finance and management, project and script development, as well as sales and distribution, and to confront them with the reality of the international market, also taking into account the local current reality and providing them with the necessary skills in order to succeed on a highly competitive international market.
The Lab (September 21–27, 2026, in Aqaba, Jordan) focuses on strengthening the skills of producers by enabling them to understand and contribute to the entire creative production process. During the lab’s six intensive days, the producers and directors will experience training sessions through the film they are working on. The sessions will include one-on-one and group sessions with internationally acclaimed experts focusing on packaging, financing, co-production, script development, legal issues, as well as international markets and sales.
The tutors of the workshop include May Odeh (Odeh Films/Mayana Films, PS/DE), Jennifer Sabbah-Immagine (The CoPro Agency, FR), Nayeem Mahbub (Kahini, SE/BD) and Hédi Zardi (FR).
The workshop includes 6 participating producer-writer/director teams with feature narrative projects, aiming to equip Arab producers with the necessary skills to engage in the creative production process actively, prioritizing talent identification, script development, and project advancement. The Lab provides comprehensive insights into MENA, European, and global markets, aiding producers in audience identification, product packaging, partnership building, and securing production and distribution financing.
Additionally, it offers insight into financial and corporate development, underlining the importance of long-term viability for competitiveness. The Lab fosters cooperation, co-financing, and co-production among Arab producers as crucial strategies for success in a competitive landscape. It also creates opportunities for Arab producers to collaborate with industry leaders, expanding networks, improving quality, and increasing production feasibility. Furthermore, The Lab enhances understanding of rapid changes in media industries, including shifts in distribution, exhibition, and emerging market opportunities such as video on demand (VOD) and digital distribution. Ultimately, the Lab aims to empower Arab producers to establish unique industry voices and contribute to its evolution.
The six selected projects from Sudan, Yemen, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Syria and Saudi Arabia are:
- ABOUT LOVE & SEPTEMBER LAWS by Mohamed Kordofani, co-written by Khaled Alwaledd, producer: Khalid Awad
- AL-MADEENEH 2008 by Yousef Assabahi, producer: Ala'a Amer
- BURY ME by Reem Morsi, producer: Miral Ezzat El-Fakharany
- GOLDEN AHMAD by Mustafa Khalaf, producer: Mahmoud Srour
- GUARDIAN OF THE BLOOD by Jamal Kutbi, producer: Abdulrahman Alkilany
- TREE OF OBLIVION by Hassanein Khazaai, producer: Haider Ibrahim
Page published 21 September 2026.
